Former library board Members of the Staples Library Board gathered in 1975 to honor Librarian Elsie Albrecht, when the library moved to the lower level of the city hall at Sixth Street and First Avenue. From left to right were Marion Stone, behind her is Sig Hendrickson; Margaret Pattison is next, then Marie Sperley, Elsie Albrecht (seated) Maud Dahl (back in plaid); Dorothy Johnson and Kathleen Demmon. Since 1926, there have only been four librarians holding that position in the 100-year-old Staples Public Library.

Viretta Neidhardt has just turned over the reins of the branch manager position to Tammi Walz. Tammi should be warned that, if history holds true, she should expect to be in her position for the next 20-1/2 years.

The library, which is preparing for a big year ahead with a new library under construction in conjunction with the new city hall, is observing the centennial of the Staples Public Library this weekend, with events at Northern Pacific Park Sunday afternoon from 5 to 7 p.m., prior to the Sunday night Music in the Park.

Many years ago The Staples Public Libray celebrated its Golden Anniversary in February,1959. Librarian Carrie Mayer is shown with Elsie Ahlbrecht. Mayer would have retired shortly before this occasion, with Elsie's tenure as libaraian beginning in1958. The history of the Staples library goes back prior to 1909, with at least a mention of a need for a library in Staples in 1905. In 1937, under a Public Works Administration (PWA) project, Mrs. Stella Topham gathered considerable information and material regarding the history of Staples and surrounding territory. The early information below is based on her library article and an interview with Mrs. Harry Wilson, who was the only surviving member of the founding group at that time.

In 1905, a new organization got its start. It was called the Staples Civic Improvement League, and it was comprised of a group of ladies from town. They decided the community needed a library, or at least a reading room but they were snubbed by the city council when they asked for a room at the city hall.

The ladies persevered, and found space above the Citizens State Bank on the corner of Fourth Street and Second Avenue. They opened a reading room there and acquired some books. A lack of patronage later forced the ladies to leave the quarters above the bank.

The books they had acquired were moved to the Pennington Drug Store and then to the Waldron Jewelry Sstore. Mr. Waldron very kindly took charge of loaning the books out while they were in his store.

The books were moved again, to the Knights of Pythias's Club room, located over the H.C. Miller department store, where they apparently found a home for a few years. The Rev. T.J.E. Wilson, an Episcopal rector, cared for the books, assisted by Mrs. Harry Wilson and Genevieve Hartley.

By January of 1909, the fledgling library had around 600 patrons and a librarian was needed to look after the books. At that time, the process of checking out books was formalized and recorded, partially due to many books being loaned out and not being returned.

In January, 1915, there were 565 volumes with 125 more expected. It was still located on the second floor of the Miller building, with Genevieve Hartley as librarian. The H. C. Miller building burned, apparently shortly after the new high school building was built, with the library moving into the high school in the winter of 1917.

The public library was housed in the school and managed by the school librarian apparently for the next several years, but still considered a city library.

In 1929, the new city hall was built (Nordell building) at Sixth and First Avenue. One of the rooms on the upper level was furnished for the library and the books were moved in on Feb. 24, 1930. Forty-five years later, in 1975, the library moved to occupy virtually the entire lower level of the city hall. The library was only there for a few years, with the city offices moved to the Staples Government Center (former Municipal Hospital) in 1979 and the library placed in the lower level there.

The library held a 50th anniversary event on Feb. 6, 1959. A 75th anniversary was held in February, 1984.

Some of the librarians after Genevieve Hartley included Bessie Knowles, Anna Keeley McCulloch (1917-1919); Mrs. E. G. Hall (1919-26); Carrie Mayer (1926-51); Elsie Ahlbrecht (1951-78) Bonnie Hammond (1978-94) ; Viretta Neidhardt (1994-2009) and now Tammi Walz.

Until 1997, the library was a municipal library governed by a local library board, with various women of the community serving as board members.

In January, 1997 the Staples library became a branch library of the Great River Regional Library system, one of eight regional library systems that had covered the state since the 1970's. As part of that system, requests for books or periodicals can now be searched state and nation wide. Books can be obtained or loaned from the other 31 Great River branches. A local library member can access services at any member library, Duluth or Rochester, for example, anywhere in the state.

Another welcome addition was the formation of a Friends of the Library group in 2008. The FOL has been active in the planning of the new facility and is currently in the beginning stages of a fund drive to raise $30,000 for furnishings and decorating the new library.

Sunday evening will include a Magic Show with Star Michaelina at 5 p.m. and a picnic supper of hot dogs and chips at 5:45 p.m. The Staples Community band will be playing for the 7 p.m. Music in the Park concert series.